Eight More Trusts Are Awarded Foundation Status

Eight More Trusts Are Awarded Foundation Status

Article excerpt

More than a quarter of acute NHS trusts now have greater freedom from Whitehall control, following the authorisation of eight new foundation trusts this week.

William Moyes, chair of Monitor, the foundation trust regulator, awarded foundation status to the trusts on August 1, including Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Salford Royal.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced her department had approved a further 12 applicants, whose suitability will be assessed by Monitor over the next year.

'Both of today's announcements indicate the continued progress of the foundation trust policy,' Moyes said. Around 26% of acute trusts are now foundations and together with three mental health FTs they have a combined annual income of £9.48bn.

Sue Slipman, director of the Foundation Trust Network, said the foundation movement was approaching the 'critical mass' needed to lead NHS reform. …